The COFUND action, a MSCA Programme under Horizon Europe, offers a unique opportunity for transnational collaboration by fostering researcher mobility and strengthening international partnerships. This program not only supports training and career development of young researchers but also enhances global research networks, and creates lasting connections between institutions and researchers from continents like Europe and Australia, driving forward impactful research and fostering a collaborative global research community.
RMIT Europe (the European hub of RMIT University in Australia) and Josep Carreras Research Leukaemia Institute are currently running 6 COFUND projects worth a total of 47M euros (2 postdoctoral and 4 doctoral programmes). Both institutions thus have broad experience in preparing and managing these types of grants. We will take on this experience to share the critical factors to consider when designing and writing a COFUND proposal and, in particular, how the experience acquired during the implementation can improve and make more implementable a future proposal that has to be submitted. While COFUND provides significant opportunities, it also presents a set of unique challenges that research administrators need to be aware of when planning and submitting a proposal as well as implementing the project. In addition, a COFUND grant has many aspects that differ from a typical Horizon Europe project, such as the recruitment strategy for fellows, the structure and content of the training programme, and the management of the budget. We would like to provide tips for writing winning proposals and at the same time making them fully implementable. What are the most critical challenges that need to be anticipated? How can potential risks be identified and mitigated in advance to ensure successful project implementation? The session will be led by three experienced speakers with extensive backgrounds in EU grant management, both pre-award and post-award. Currently, all speakers are involved in managing multiple COFUND projects, bringing real-world experience and best practices to share with participants. Whether you are considering submitting a COFUND proposal or are tasked with managing an awarded project, this session aims to equip you with the knowledge and strategies to navigate the complexities of the COFUND programme successfully.
